Authorities planning new manned space vehicle

BEIJING: While Shenzhou-series spacecraft still serve as a major pillar of China’s manned spaceflights, Chinese engineers are developing a next-generation vehicle to help to materialise the country’s future aspirations in space.

Once put into formal service, the new spacecraft will feature world-class designs and technologies, high reliability and flexibility, reusability and multiple functions, according to designers at the China Academy of Space Technology, a major supplier of spacecraft in the nation.